Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

Erice

Location

Trapani in Sicily

Country

Italy

Year of Research

5rd century BC

Culture

Erice lies on to top of the Mount Erice, at around 750m above sea level, domination of the city of Trapani, the low western coast towards Marsala, the dramatic Punta del Saraceno and Capo san Vito to the north-east.

It was not a Greek colony, but was hugely Hellenized. It was destroyed in the First Punic War by the Carthaginians, and from then on turn in importance.

There are two castles that still remains in the city , Pepoli Castle, which dates from Saracen times, and the Venus Castle, dating from the Norman period, built on top of the ancient Temple of Venus, where Venus Ericina was idolize.

According to legend, the temple was established by AeneasIt was well known us throughout the Mediterranean area in the ancient age, and an important cult was celebrated in it.

In his book On the Nature of Animals, Aelian writes that animals chosen for sacrifice would voluntarily walk up to the altar to be killed.